Author Topic: Harmonica Repair Guys, Sound off!  (Read 27447 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline SlideMeister

  • Owner/Administrator
  • MonsterMeister
  • *
  • Posts: 26,983
  • A.J. Fedor ><((((º>
    • A.J.'s mini-site
Harmonica Repair Guys, Sound off!
« on: August 18, 2009, 08:01:27 PM »
I strongly suspect there are a lot of players on SlideMeister with Chromatics in various states of disrepair, who would like nothing better than to get a good Chromatic tech to work on them.

If you fall into either category, here's where to look, right now. It'll mean money for some, "fixes" for others and "happy" for everyone!

If you see someone listed here that you'd like to have work on your Chromatic, contact him/her off list (not on this thread please) cuz we wanna keep the thread "pure" okay? No discussion here, just a list of who, does what, and how to contact them.

Note to harmonica techs:
If you are a "current" member of SlideMeister, you may list your services here. To remain "current," you must at least sign in to your SlideMeister account once, every six months. (the same as regular members) If your SlideMeister account gets deleted for "inactivity" so does your listing on this board.

Listing a non-member, friend as a "tech" is also prohibited unless approved.


Thanx!

@ge
« Last Edit: April 13, 2015, 11:23:44 PM by SlideMeister »

Offline Gnarly He Man

  • AKA Gary
  • HELPER
  • MonsterMeister
  • ***
  • Posts: 15,450
  • Chroma means color
Re: Harmonica Repair Guys, Sound off!
« Reply #1 on: May 26, 2010, 11:46:05 AM »
As some of you know, I retune harmonicas all the time--
I currently am working on a CX-12 (black, in C) that Grant (Chromaddict) had me retune to Bb, then traded me for work done (in lieu of payment).
I later retuned it to A (bebop).
It's now being retuned to D7/A--so it will be like the C7/G that is my standard tuning, but up a whole step.
What I am finding is that I mostly tune a few cents sharp, not 442 but never below 440.
The tuner I am using is a chromatic tuner--it tells you what note is being sounded, and how many cents above or below the pitch is relative to what Age would call "dead nuts on".
So 3 cents is good, up to about 10 cents.
And then I fine tune using my ear--sometimes 0 is good . . . but 3-5 is probably the best for me--
Gary
« Last Edit: May 26, 2010, 12:18:21 PM by Gnarly He Man »

Offline George Miklas

  • Doctor of Music Education and author of “Harmonica Pedagogy for the Full Inclusion Music Classroom,” HOHNER Artist, Harmonica Technician, and former member of Jerry Murad's Harmonicats
  • V.I.P
  • Chrome-Tributor
  • *****
  • Posts: 328
  • Member of SPAH since 1977
    • Dr. George Miklas, Harmonica Performer, Entertainer, Repair Tech, Hohner Dealer, Scholar, and Author of “Harmonica Pedagogy for the Full Inclusion Music Classroom”
Re: Harmonica Repair Guys, Sound off!
« Reply #2 on: May 03, 2011, 06:32:47 AM »
Count me in!

My work bench is set up once again and I have begun taking new harmonica repair clients.  I have a plethora of Hohner donor reed plates, new Hohner wind savers.  I am currently focusing my work on chromatic harmonicas, tuning or replacing reeds, reshaping or replacing wind savers, straightening slides, and comb repairs/replacement.   

http://repair.HarmonicaGallery.com

http://repair.harmonicagallery.com/

George


« Last Edit: September 24, 2018, 11:22:05 AM by George Miklas »
http://HarmonicaGallery.com  Harmonica Specialist & Aficionado; Scholar, Educator, Performer, Repair; Harmonica Bands and Solo Concerti

Offline vcleynes

  • Chrome-Minator
  • ***
  • Posts: 608
  • Newbee
    • The Old Man Harper
Re: Harmonica Repair Guys, Sound off!
« Reply #3 on: January 17, 2012, 01:55:39 PM »
I started doing maintenance and repairs - cleaning, sanitizing, conversion from nail to screw version, replacement of windsavers, adjustment of gaps and tuning - on Hohner chromatics that I bought for my own use.  I may be able to do the same for someone else's harp.  I have a website though needing a lot of updating: http://oldmanharper.blogspot.com/2012/01/hohner-64-chromonica-280.html
« Last Edit: September 13, 2013, 08:26:27 PM by vcleynes »

Offline Sissi

  • Baby Button Pusher
  • *
  • Posts: 46
Re: Harmonica Repair Guys, Sound off!
« Reply #4 on: January 18, 2012, 10:04:38 AM »
Hi everyone.
Being retired from Hohner  ( after 34 years of servicing harmonicas ),I'll be glad to work on your
instruments.
I service all makes , (tuning, replacing reeds, valves, setting up for best response). Herings, Seydels,Suzukis and Hohners. I am here in Maryland . Reasonable pricing.
Harmonically yours
Sissi

Offline Gnarly He Man

  • AKA Gary
  • HELPER
  • MonsterMeister
  • ***
  • Posts: 15,450
  • Chroma means color
Re: Harmonica Repair Guys, Sound off!
« Reply #5 on: September 14, 2013, 03:29:13 AM »
I can be reached at gnarlyheman at gmail dot com.

Offline opendoorharps

  • Chrome-Tributor
  • **
  • Posts: 105
Re: Harmonica Repair Guys, Sound off!
« Reply #6 on: April 13, 2015, 02:34:54 AM »
Greetings.  I repair & optimize most chromatic models, including the reed replacement tools to deal with the welded reed models. 

On the dark (diatonic) side of things, repair/ customize;  Hohner, Seydel, Suzuki, Lee Oskar, and others, with a soft spot for the sympathetic reed harmonicas (XB-40's, Sub 30's, and other auxiliary reed setups).

Thanks to those who have inspired and continue to keep me on the straight and narrow in my harmonica adventures (Winslow Yerxa, Richard Sleigh, Joe Spires, Dick Gardner, Mike Easton, Jon Kip, Jon Harl, Brendan Power, Danny G., A.J., and many many others on this forum and in the harmonica community. 

Burke Trieschmann (Audio Producer/ Harmonica Tech & repairs)
Open Door Productions/ Open Door Harmonicas

www.opendoorharmonicas.com
email at: info@opendoorprod.com
« Last Edit: April 15, 2015, 12:54:55 AM by opendoorharps »

Kevin Baker

  • Guest
Re: Harmonica Repair Guys, Sound off!
« Reply #7 on: September 24, 2018, 11:18:40 AM »
Hi my name is Kevin Baker. I've been working on harps for about 20 years. I work mostly with Hohner Chromatics, but have worked on many other models. My main thing is making CX12 half valved Chromatics! I can make these bend as easily as a diatonic. My contact info is chromonicablues@gmail.com 

Offline Keith

  • MasterMeister
  • *****
  • Posts: 4,093
Re: Harmonica Repair Guys, Sound off!
« Reply #8 on: September 24, 2018, 02:20:25 PM »
Might be worth putting what Country/County you all are in. :)

(Don't forget we are a worldwide community.)

Offline Gnarly He Man

  • AKA Gary
  • HELPER
  • MonsterMeister
  • ***
  • Posts: 15,450
  • Chroma means color
Re: Harmonica Repair Guys, Sound off!
« Reply #9 on: September 24, 2018, 02:32:56 PM »
I'm in the US, still retuning harmonicas and doing repairs, still the warranty guy for Suzuki USA, but I also work on Hohners.

Offline Rich35

  • CHARTER MEMBER
  • Chrome-Tributor
  • *
  • Posts: 432
Re: Harmonica Repair Guys, Sound off!
« Reply #10 on: September 24, 2018, 03:41:20 PM »

 Hi All
 I can vouch for Gnarly He Man and George Miklas both have done Great work on My Chromatic,s
  Rich 8)

Offline Gnarly He Man

  • AKA Gary
  • HELPER
  • MonsterMeister
  • ***
  • Posts: 15,450
  • Chroma means color
Re: Harmonica Repair Guys, Sound off!
« Reply #11 on: September 24, 2018, 05:36:45 PM »
Thanks Rich!

Offline Rich35

  • CHARTER MEMBER
  • Chrome-Tributor
  • *
  • Posts: 432
Re: Harmonica Repair Guys, Sound off!
« Reply #12 on: September 25, 2018, 03:31:26 PM »

Hi All Again
  Lest I Forget Eric Crawford ,Maker of the Best Wooden covers for a Chromatic Harp !
    Rich 8)

Ted johnsrude

  • Guest
Re: Harmonica Repair Guys, Sound off!
« Reply #13 on: September 20, 2019, 01:50:02 PM »
I'm in the US, still retuning harmonicas and doing repairs, still the warranty guy for Suzuki USA, but I also work on Hohners.
o
I'm in the US, still retuning harmonicas and doing repairs, still the warranty guy for Suzuki USA, but I also work on Hohners.

Offline Gnarly He Man

  • AKA Gary
  • HELPER
  • MonsterMeister
  • ***
  • Posts: 15,450
  • Chroma means color
Re: Harmonica Repair Guys, Sound off!
« Reply #14 on: September 20, 2019, 02:21:38 PM »
Yup, that's me.
Hope you are having fun with your harmonica, if not, let me know.

Offline Crawforde

  • Chrome-Meister
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,650
  • Member
Re: Harmonica Repair Guys, Sound off!
« Reply #15 on: September 20, 2019, 04:54:15 PM »
Thanks Rich.
I hope you are enjoying them!
Gnarley does good work on the important bits on the inside.

Offline david

  • Grandpa Dave
  • Baby Button Pusher
  • *
  • Posts: 26
  • Member
Re: Harmonica Repair Guys, Sound off!
« Reply #16 on: July 01, 2021, 09:38:01 AM »
After many years of playing/repairing harmonicas my good friend in Louisville Kentucky has reached the age where vision and dexterity no longer allow him to complete accurate harmonica repairs.  He is now inventorying his life-long supply/stock of parts and tools, hoping to find someone who will purchase and appreciate the lot at a reasonable price and continue repairing harmonicas. His attempt to become a member of SlideMeister was dropped due to inactivity but anyone interested in his parts may contact me at dvanman@windstream.net  and I will pass your contact information along to him.
Grandpa Dave
« Last Edit: July 01, 2021, 12:06:19 PM by Age »

Offline david

  • Grandpa Dave
  • Baby Button Pusher
  • *
  • Posts: 26
  • Member
Re: Harmonica Repair Guys, Sound off!
« Reply #17 on: July 21, 2021, 08:00:48 PM »
Many thanks to the several folks who responded to my previous post about the harmonica parts my friend needed to move along to another harmonica repair person.  At age 90+ he is still playing in public nearly every week but simply no longer has the vision/dexterity to complete repair work.  I am happy to report that all of his Hohner inventory is now in the capable hands of Michael Easton.  My friend still has a few tools and miscellaneous parts (reeds, wind savers, reed plates, etc) for non-Hohner harps (Hering, Sydel, etc).  Those interested should now contact him directly by email.... Mr. Don Fowler  dfowlerusa@gmail.com.